It’s true. Every now and then I eat Spam. Phew! Now that I got that out-of-the-way, let’s move on to my latest Spam preparation: The beloved Spam musubi. Found at local convenience stores, airports, and mom and pop stores, Spam musubi is a tasty snack that travels well in your bag, backpack, and even fits snugly in your pocket. It’s an island favorite.
I have a good laugh every time I see the little man on the Spam can announcing “Glorious Spam!”
If you live near a Nijiya Japanese market, I recommend buying this nori. It is not expensive and it’s a good nori for Spam musubi as well as maki sushi rolls.
There’s a large variety of furikake at the markets. Salmon, shiso, wasabi, and more. I favor the simple combination of nori flakes with black and white roasted sesame seeds. It’s perfect for Spam musubi.
Slice the Spam into eight pieces. Fry the Spam for a few minutes on each side until lightly browned.
Add your soy sauce mixture and turn the Spam over and over in the sauce to coat well. This will take just a minute.
Perfectly cooked Spam and seasoned Spam.
Making Spam musubi is quick and easy. Cook the rice, pan fry the Spam, put it all together, press, eat.
I bookmarked this recipe from Serious Eats years ago and finally got around to making it. Not all Spam musubis are alike. This one is a winner.
Recipe updated 7/28/23 to make 8 Spam musubi (originally 6)
- 3 cups short grain or medium grain white rice, cooked according to package directions
- 1 can original or 25% less sodium Spam
- 3 tablespoons brown sugar
- 3 tablespoons less sodium soy sauce (Kikkoman recommended)
- 4 pieces sushi nori, cut in half lengthwise to make 8 pieces
- furikake
- Slice Spam into 8 equal sized pieces (slice across the longest portion of Spam)
- Mix together brown sugar and soy sauce, set aside.
- Fry Spam on medium-high heat for a few minutes on each side, or until lightly browned. Turn heat down to medium-low, add brown sugar and soy sauce mixture and turn Spam over a few times to coat well. If the pan seems too hot, take it off the burner for a few seconds. You want the soy sauce mixture to caramelize a bit and coat the Spam nicely (watch closely so that it doesn't burn). Remove Spam to a plate to cool.
- Lay a piece of nori on a clean work surface. Place musubi shaper on top of the nori (in the center). Scoop enough rice into the musubi shaper to make a thin layer. Press the rice firmly with the musubi compressor. Sprinkle furikake over the rice, add a piece of Spam, more furikake, and lastly, more rice. Press firmly using the musubi compressor. You want the musubi to hold together when you eat it. To remove Spam musubi, hold the shaper and lift it up as you continue to press down on the musubi. Gently remove the compressor (if the rice sticks a bit loosen it with a butter knife). Wrap the nori around the musubi tightly. You may need to trim a bit of the nori if it's too long.
- Serve right away or wrap and pack for a mid-morning or afternoon snack.